The appointment reflects the state's confidence in the competence, integrity, and experience of Dr. Harli Siregar, S.H., M.Hum. as the Head of the Attorney General's Office Education and Training Agency, a position that plays a strategic role in developing the quality of human resources within the prosecution service.

For the academic community of Universitas Sumatera Utara, this achievement is a source of great pride. The success of Dr. Harli Siregar, S.H., M.Hum. demonstrates that USU alumni are capable of making significant contributions and are trusted to hold strategic positions at the national level, while also serving as an inspiration for students and the younger generation to continue striving for excellence and dedicating themselves to the nation and the state.

Previously, Dr. Harli Siregar, S.H., M.Hum. served as the Head of the North Sumatra High Prosecutor's Office (Kajati Sumut) and Inspector III at the Junior Attorney General for Supervision of the Attorney General's Office.

Throughout his career, Dr. Harli Siregar, S.H., M.Hum. has been recognized as a figure with extensive experience in the field of law enforcement.

The trust placed in Dr. Harli Siregar, S.H., M.Hum. serves as proof that dedication, professionalism, and integrity are fundamental values in building a career in law enforcement. This achievement also adds to the growing list of Universitas Sumatera Utara alumni who have made significant contributions to the nation and the state.

The entire academic community of Universitas Sumatera Utara extends its congratulations to Dr. Harli Siregar, S.H., M.Hum. on his new appointment.

The collaboration is intended to introduce an environmentally friendly transportation system within the campus through the provision of electric bicycles and the necessary supporting infrastructure. In addition to improving the mobility of the academic community, the initiative is expected to support the implementation of the green campus concept while creating opportunities for collaboration in research, innovation, and sustainable technology development.

The Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Cooperation of USU, Prof. Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita, S.T., M.T., stated that the partnership is in line with USU's commitment to building a sustainable campus. According to him, the provision of environmentally friendly transportation is one of the key indicators in supporting USU's transformation into a green campus.

"As a university, we are committed to building a greener campus (green campus). This is one of the key indicators in realizing a sustainable campus," said Prof. Himsar during the meeting.

Prof. Himsar explained that the partnership is not solely focused on providing transportation facilities but also opens opportunities for research collaboration. As a researcher in the field of solar energy, he hopes that future charging stations will utilize solar panels installed on the rooftops of several campus buildings. This initiative is expected to serve as a practical implementation of renewable energy utilization while also providing a learning platform for students.

"One idea I have is that, if possible, one of the charging stations could utilize solar panels installed on a building rooftop. Perhaps we could select one or two buildings as pilot projects by using rooftop solar panels to supply energy for the charging stations," he explained.

Mike Huang, CEO of PT. Ezgo Technology, revealed that the company will establish a Green Scholarship at USU once the project is operating steadily. The scholarship program will become one of the company's tangible contributions to the advancement of education at USU. In addition to scholarships, internship opportunities will also be offered to students, providing them with valuable hands-on experience in the industry.

"We are also committed to contributing to the university by creating employment opportunities on campus. As I mentioned earlier, during the implementation of this project, we will recruit a number of employees from within the campus community," he said.

Her appointment reflects the Indonesian Government's confidence in her professional expertise and extensive experience. Prior to assuming her new role, she served as Director of Immunization Management at the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, a position she had held since 29 December 2022.

Dr. Prima Yosephine graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, as part of the Class of 1986. She later pursued a Master's degree in Public Health at the University of Indonesia. Her academic and professional journey demonstrates a longstanding commitment to strengthening Indonesia's healthcare system.

As Deputy for Systems and Governance at the National Nutrition Agency, Dr. Prima Yosephine is expected to enhance institutional governance and support the implementation of strategic national nutrition policies. Her extensive experience in managing public health programs provides a strong foundation for ensuring the effective execution of the government's priority initiatives in the nutrition sector.

This achievement is a source of pride for Universitas Sumatera Utara and reflects the meaningful contributions of USU alumni to Indonesia's national development. The trust placed in Dr. Prima is expected to inspire the university's academic community and fellow alumni to continue making meaningful contributions through innovation, leadership, and dedicated service to the nation.

The achievement was earned after a highly competitive selection process. Out of 1,433 research proposals submitted by students from universities across Indonesia, only 40 proposals were selected to receive research funding. Team FMIPA USU successfully advanced to the Top 10 national finalists before ultimately securing Third Place.

Team IONEX is led by Desti Damai Hati Gea (Undergraduate Chemistry, Class of 2023), with members Fairutzh Divhany Akbar (Chemistry 2023), Khalya Rosida Amri (Chemistry 2023), and Tio Roito Siregar (Chemistry 2022). The team was supervised by Dr. Ir. Zikri Noer, S.Si., M.Si., a lecturer in the Physics Study Program at FMIPA USU.

In the competition, Team IONEX presented a research project entitled "Synthesis of Empty Fruit Bunch-Based Graphene Quantum Dots (GQD) as Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes to Enhance Electrochemical Performance." The study explores the conversion of oil palm empty fruit bunch waste into Graphene Quantum Dots (GQD) for use as lithium-ion battery anode material, offering the potential to improve electrochemical performance while adding value to palm oil industry waste.

In addition to winning Third Place nationally, the team also received the Best Poster Award in the Bioenergy category. The award recognized the quality of the team's research presentation, the novelty of its innovation, and its contribution to the development of renewable energy based on local resources.

Team leader Desti Damai Hati Gea expressed gratitude for the achievement, noting that the accomplishment was the result of the team's dedication throughout the research process, scientific paper preparation, and final presentation before the panel of judges.

"We are grateful for this achievement. We hope our research can contribute to the advancement of energy technology in Indonesia while inspiring more students to pursue research and innovation," she said.

The team's supervisor, Dr. Ir. Zikri Noer, S.Si., M.Si., commended the students for their dedication in competing against hundreds of participants from universities across Indonesia. He expressed hope that this accomplishment would mark the beginning of even more impactful research innovations from FMIPA USU that benefit both society and industry.

This achievement further reinforces FMIPA USU's commitment to fostering a strong culture of research, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The success of Team IONEX at PERISAI 2026 is expected to inspire more students to produce high-quality research that offers practical solutions to challenges in the fields of energy and the environment.

The event was officially opened by the Director of the Directorate of Educational Development at USU, Prof. Dr. Rudi Hartono, S.Hut., M.Si. Through this training, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the policies, assessment processes, and key regulations governing the implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a formal mechanism for recognizing an individual's existing knowledge and competencies acquired through formal education, training, professional courses, other learning activities, or work experience. The RPL scheme aims to broaden access to higher education by enabling individuals who have previously faced barriers such as employment commitments, time constraints, financial limitations, or other circumstances to continue their studies.

The training featured Hartoto, S.Pd., M.Pd., a member of the Directorate General of Higher Education (DIKTI) RPL Expert Team and the SIERRA RPL DIKTI Development Team, as the keynote speaker. He explained the regulatory framework governing RPL, including its categories, learning achievement recognition process, assessment mechanisms, and reporting procedures.

"Recognition of Prior Learning is the formal acknowledgment of an individual's learning achievements acquired through formal, non-formal, informal education, or work experience," he explained.

He further outlined that RPL is categorized into Type A and Type B. Type A RPL facilitates entry into formal education through credit transfer or credit acquisition, while Type B RPL is intended for professional qualification recognition, including practitioners seeking eligibility to serve as university lecturers.

"The maximum number of credits that can be recognized through RPL is 70 percent of the total credits required by a study program. However, undergraduate theses, master's theses, and other final projects are not eligible for recognition," he stated.

Students admitted through the RPL pathway are subject to the same academic regulations as regular students. They follow the same curriculum, attend the same classes, and receive the same degree upon graduation. The only distinction is that certain courses or academic credits may be recognized based on an assessment of the student's prior knowledge, competencies, and learning experiences.

The maximum transferable credits remain 70 percent of the total credits required by the study program. Students are still required to complete courses that have not been recognized, while theses, dissertations, and other final academic projects cannot be credited through the RPL process. Assessments may be conducted through document verification, portfolio evaluation, interviews, written examinations, or practical assessments, and must be carried out objectively, transparently, fairly, and accountably.

USU is committed to ensuring that the implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning complies with national regulations while maintaining the quality of higher education. All RPL processes must be properly documented and reported through the Recognition of Prior Learning Information System (SIERRA) and the Higher Education Database (PDDIKTI). The university emphasized that RPL is not a shortcut to obtaining a degree, but rather an official mechanism for recognizing the knowledge, skills, and learning experiences that individuals have acquired throughout their educational and professional journeys.

This crisis is once again a reminder that architectural modernism, with its glass and aluminum buildings uniform across the world, has contributed to worsening global warming. Yet long before the world scrambled to find a solution, Indonesia already had the answer, embedded in the traditional houses built by our ancestors hundreds of years ago.

According to Dr. Ir. Ar. Achmad Delianur Nasution, M.T., IAI., IAP., GP., a lecturer in the Architecture Study Program at the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), that answer has long existed within the local wisdom of Indonesian archipelagic architecture.

Architecture as a Mirror of Civilization

Architecture, Achmad Delianur explains, is not merely about buildings. It is part of culture, and culture is part of civilization. Civilization itself is formed through the interaction between people, nature, and the environment in which they live.

For this reason, every ethnic group in Indonesia has developed its own distinctive character and local wisdom in responding to its respective environment. One of the clearest examples is the traditional Batak house.

Traditional Batak Houses: Zero Carbon Since Ancient Times

The traditional Batak house is not merely a beautiful cultural heritage to look at. This structure has long proven capable of embodying the concept of a zero-carbon environment long before the term itself existed.

Its materials are entirely natural: bamboo, sugar palm fiber (ijuk), and wood. Its structure is designed around natural lighting and natural ventilation, without relying on electricity or air conditioning. As a result, the traditional Batak house is 100% sustainable, a concept that has now become a central goal of modern architecture.

Green architecture is an approach to building design that minimizes negative environmental impact through natural materials, energy efficiency, and natural lighting and ventilation, while still meeting the needs of its occupants.

Wisdom of this kind, passed down by our ancestors, is known as traditional culture: a practice that, without anyone realizing it, had already applied the principles of green architecture long before the term was formally coined by the modern world.

When Modernism Changed the Face of the World

Yet this traditional culture underwent a major shift after World War II. Many newly independent nations rushed to build according to a single shared concept: modernism.

As a result, buildings around the world became uniform, dominated by glass and aluminum that absorb and trap heat. This trend has continued to this day, and has contributed to the climate crisis that has now culminated in extreme heatwaves such as the one currently affecting Europe.

Global Awareness and the Birth of Green Architecture

The next phase came when the world realized that global warming, if left unaddressed, would devastate the planet and leave nothing to pass on to future generations.

Around the 1980s and 1990s, a global movement emerged to halt global warming. In the field of architecture, this movement became known as green architecture. In Indonesia, this awareness was eventually formalized through official regulation: Minister of Public Works and Housing Regulation No. 02/PRT/M/2015 on Green Buildings, later reinforced by Minister of Public Works and Housing Regulation No. 21 of 2021 on the Performance Assessment of Green Buildings. These regulations require every architectural work to avoid contributing to global warming.

The SDGs and Local Wisdom That Already Existed

Herein lies both the irony and the pride: the principles embedded in the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) set by the United Nations were, in fact, already practiced by Indonesia’s ancestors hundreds of years ago, long before the world formally articulated them.

The traditional Batak house, with its natural materials, energy efficiency, and harmony with the environment, is proof that sustainable architecture is not an imported concept. It is a genuine national heritage that was nearly forgotten amid the wave of modernism, but is now relevant once again as an answer to the global climate crisis, including the heatwave currently affecting Europe.

This local wisdom is not merely nostalgia for the past. It is a genuine blueprint for a more environmentally friendly future of architecture.

Quick Q&A

What is green architecture? Green architecture is an approach to building design that is environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and uses materials with minimal carbon impact, an approach already applied earlier in traditional Batak houses.

Why is the traditional Batak house considered zero carbon? Because all of its materials are natural (bamboo, sugar palm fiber, wood), and it relies on natural lighting and ventilation without electricity, producing no carbon emissions in its daily operation.

What is the connection between the traditional Batak house and the SDGs? The sustainability principles within the SDGs set by the United Nations (energy efficiency, environmentally friendly materials, harmony with nature) were already being practiced in traditional Batak houses long before the SDGs existed.

The training took place at the KTH Penghijauan Maju Bersama shelter in Pasar Rawa Village, Gebang District, Langkat Regency, as part of the Pasar Rawa Mangrove Eco-Education Tourism Program, supported by the Community Involvement and Development Program (PPM) of PT Pertamina EP Pangkalan Susu Field.

This collaborative initiative was designed to address the limited capacity of local human resources in managing a 1.5-hectare pilot silvofishery area currently being developed by the local farmer group. The ecosystem restoration program began with the planting of 2,500 mangrove seedlings by Pertamina's Community Development Officers (CDOs) and members of KTH Penghijauan Maju Bersama, alongside integrated coastal aquaculture activities through the stocking of fish fingerlings.

The event opened with remarks from Kasto Wahyudi, Head of KTH Penghijauan Maju Bersama, a representative of the Head of Forest Management Unit (KPH) Region I Stabat, and Edwin Susanto, Field Manager of PT Pertamina EP Pangkalan Susu.

During the main session, 30 members of KTH Penghijauan Maju Bersama attended a technical presentation delivered by Nur Rohim. The training focused on enhancing participants' understanding of the ecological functions of mangroves, effective aquaculture practices, and techniques for producing both natural and artificial feed to improve sustainable fisheries productivity.

The conservation- and community empowerment-based partnership program implemented in Pasar Rawa Village directly contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The silvofishery management training is intended to promote sustainable economic growth and improve the livelihoods of local fishing communities through the utilization of local resources.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – The planting of 2,500 mangrove seedlings supports climate change adaptation efforts and disaster risk reduction in coastal areas.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water – The integrated aquaculture approach helps maintain the balance of aquatic ecosystems, protect mangrove habitats, and minimize environmental degradation along the coast.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The collaboration among PT Pertamina EP Pangkalan Susu (industry), the MSP Study Program of the Faculty of Agriculture at USU (academia), KPH Region I Stabat (government), and KTH Penghijauan Maju Bersama (local community) demonstrates a cross-sector partnership aimed at achieving environmental and social sustainability.

To measure the effectiveness of the training, participants completed both pre-tests and post-tests, allowing organizers to evaluate improvements in their technical knowledge and understanding. Through the active involvement of MSP USU academics in this collaborative initiative, the university is expected to make meaningful scientific contributions to mangrove conservation while strengthening the local economy of communities in Langkat Regency.

In her opening remarks, the Director of the Directorate of Public Relations, Promotion, and Protocol, Prof. Dr. dr. Elmeida Effendy, M.Ked(KJ)., Sp.KJ(K), emphasized that the workshop represents a strategic effort to strengthen the university's public relations function.

"This program is essential for broadening the knowledge and enhancing the competencies of faculty public relations officers and social media managers so they can produce high-quality, accurate information that helps build a positive institutional image," said Prof. Elmeida.

She added that the rapid advancement of information technology requires public relations professionals to adapt to various communication platforms and deliver information that is timely, accurate, and engaging for the public.

The workshop featured several experienced media professionals as guest speakers. Irwan Arfa, Head of the ANTARA News Agency (LKBN ANTARA) North Sumatra Bureau, delivered a session on news writing techniques and press release preparation. He explained the fundamental principles of journalism, including identifying news value, structuring news stories, and writing effective press releases that are suitable for publication by mass media outlets.

Meanwhile, Usrizal Pulungan, Acting Head of the Metro TV Medan Bureau, presented a session on the importance of videography in public relations. He noted that video content has become one of the most effective communication tools for conveying information to the public, making the ability to produce informative and engaging videos an essential skill for today's public relations practitioners.

The final session was delivered by Ade Ardianta Harahap, a social media practitioner from MedanTalk. He discussed effective social media management strategies, covering content planning, audience engagement, and the use of digital trends to expand reach and increase public interaction with institutional content.

Through this workshop, the Directorate of Public Relations, Promotion, and Protocol hopes that all participants will apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired to strengthen the promotion and dissemination of the university's achievements, programs, and activities.

The statement was delivered during the orientation program for Heads of Study Programs and Departments across USU, held from July 17 to July 20, 2026. In his presentation, the Rector highlighted skills mismatch—the gap between graduates' competencies and industry needs—as one of the key challenges facing higher education.

According to the Rector, universities today must go beyond increasing graduation rates and ensure that graduates are competitive and capable of adapting to the changing demands of the job market.

"Universities must produce graduates who are relevant to the needs of the times. Curricula, learning processes, and research activities must continuously be aligned with industry developments so that graduates acquire the competencies that employers truly need," said Prof. Muryanto Amin.

The Rector stressed that improving graduate quality is a crucial component of enhancing a university's reputation. Therefore, every study program must continuously evaluate its curriculum and teaching methods to keep pace with technological advancements and the evolving needs of the business and industrial sectors.

The orientation also introduced indicators of graduate competitiveness based on international university ranking metrics, including Employer Reputation and Employment Outcomes. These indicators serve as benchmarks for measuring a university's success in producing graduates who are highly employable and well-prepared for the workforce.

According to the Rector, Heads of Study Programs play a strategic role in bridging the gap between industry requirements and academic education. He therefore encouraged continuous curriculum innovation and stronger collaboration with industry partners.

"Study programs must be adaptive to change. We should not merely produce graduates; we must ensure that they possess the competencies, character, and capabilities needed to compete at both the national and global levels," he said.

In addition to strengthening graduate quality, USU continues to promote faculty development, enhance research capacity, and expand partnerships with industry as part of its commitment to continuously improving the quality of higher education.

Prof. Muryanto Amin expressed his hope that all Heads of Study Programs would translate these strategic directions into concrete work programs that directly enhance graduate quality and further strengthen USU's academic reputation on the international stage.

In his remarks, the Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Cooperation of USU, Prof. Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita, S.T., M.T., stated that the SDGs Ambassadors play a strategic role in supporting USU's vision of becoming a sustainable university. According to him, achieving a sustainable campus depends not only on strong leadership and sound regulations but also on well-directed programs and the active participation of the entire academic community.

"If we want to become a sustainable campus, it must be supported by several aspects, such as leadership, clear regulations, and well-defined programs," he said.

He added that students hold an important position as partners of the university in disseminating the spirit of sustainable development. Therefore, the presence of SDGs Ambassadors is expected to serve as a driving force while encouraging all members of the academic community to jointly implement SDG values in various activities across the campus.

"For that reason, we indeed need ambassadors who can encourage the entire academic community," he continued.

During the interview session, Prof. Himsar explained that the SDGs Ambassadors would not only serve as representatives of the student body but also act as a bridge for collaboration between the university and various partners, both internally and externally. Through this role, the ambassadors are expected to expand collaborative networks while supporting the various sustainable development programs implemented by USU.

"They will become our collaborative partners, both internally with students and externally with our collaboration partners," he explained.

Through this event, USU hopes that the selected 2026 SDGs Ambassadors will become inspiring agents of change, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and encourage the emergence of various innovative initiatives and solutions to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals within the university and the wider community.